HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.

Blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure.

You can have high blood pressure (hypertension) for years without any symptoms. Even without symptoms, damage to blood vessels and your heart continues and can be detected. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

High blood pressure generally develops over many years, and it affects nearly everyone eventually. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected.

Blood pressure varies naturally with activity, rising from exercise or stress and falling during rest. It also varies among individuals , gradually increasing with age and weight. Blood pressure is expressed as two values given in millimeters of mercury. The blood pressure ofa resting, healthy young adult should not be more than 120/80 mm of mercury. In a general a person  is considered to have hypertension  when his or her blood pressure  is persistently higher than 140/90 mm of mercury, even at rest. Persistent high blood pressure that may damage the arteries and the heart

Causes--There are two types of high blood pressure.

Primary (essential) hypertension

For most adults, there's no identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure, called primary (essential) hypertension, tends to develop gradually over many years.

Secondary hypertension

Some people have high blood pressure caused by an underlying condition. This type of high blood pressure, called secondary hypertension, tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than does primary hypertension. Various conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension, including:

·         Obstructive sleep apnea

·         Kidney problems

·         Adrenal gland tumors

·         Thyroid problems

·         Certain defects in blood vessels you're born with (congenital)

·         Certain medications, such as birth control pills, cold remedies, decongestants, over-the-counter pain relievers and some prescription drugs

·         Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines

·         Alcohol abuse or chronic alcohol use

Symptoms--Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.

A few people with high blood pressure may have headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs and symptoms aren't specific and usually don't occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

Risk factors--High blood pressure has many risk factors, including:

Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age. Through early middle age, or about age 45, high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65.

Race. High blood pressure is particularly common among blacks, often developing at an earlier age than it does in whites. Serious complications, such as stroke, heart attack and kidney failure, also are more common in blacks.

Family history. High blood pressure tends to run in families.

Being overweight or obese. The more you weigh the more blood you need to supply oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. As the volume of blood circulated through your blood vessels increases, so does the pressure on your artery walls.

Not being physically active. People who are inactive tend to have higher heart rates. The higher your heart rate, the harder your heart must work with each contraction and the stronger the force on your arteries. Lack of physical activity also increases the risk of being overweight.

Using tobacco. Not only does smoking or chewing tobacco immediately raise your blood pressure temporarily, but the chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of your artery walls. This can cause your arteries to narrow, increasing your blood pressure. Secondhand smoke also can increase your blood pressure.

Too much salt (sodium) in your diet. Too much sodium in your diet can cause your body to retain fluid, which increases blood pressure.

Too little potassium in your diet. Potassium helps balance the amount of sodium in your cells. If you don't get enough potassium in your diet or retain enough potassium, you may accumulate too much sodium in your blood.

Too little vitamin D in your diet. It's uncertain if having too little vitamin D in your diet can lead to high blood pressure. Vitamin D may affect an enzyme produced by your kidneys that affects your blood pressure.

Drinking too much alcohol. Over time, heavy drinking can damage your heart. Having more than two drinks a day for men and more than one drink a day for women may affect your blood pressure.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.

Stress. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. If you try to relax by eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol, you may only increase problems with high blood pressure

Certain chronic conditions. Certain chronic conditions also may increase your risk of high blood pressure, such as kidney disease, diabetes and sleep apnea.

Sometimes pregnancy contributes to high blood pressure, as well.

Although high blood pressure is most common in adults, children may be at risk, too. For some children, high blood pressure is caused by problems with the kidneys or heart. But for a growing number of kids, poor lifestyle habits, such as an unhealthy diet, obesity and lack of exercise, contribute to high blood pressure.

Complications-The excessive pressure on your artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, as well as organs in your body. The higher your blood pressure and the longer it goes uncontrolled, the greater the damage.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to:

Heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure can cause hardening and thickening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other complications.

Aneurysm. Increased blood pressure can cause your blood vessels to weaken and bulge, forming an aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be life-threatening.

Heart failure. To pump blood against the higher pressure in your vessels, your heart muscle thickens. Eventually, the thickened muscle may have a hard time pumping enough blood to meet your body's needs, which can lead to heart failure.

Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys. This can prevent these organs from functioning normally.

Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes. This can result in vision loss.

Metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is a cluster of disorders of your body's metabolism, including increased waist circumference; high triglycerides; low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol; high blood pressure; and high insulin levels. These conditions make you more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Trouble with memory or understanding. Uncontrolled high blood pressure may also affect your ability to think, remember and learn. Trouble with memory or understanding concepts is more common in people with high blood pressure.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic remedies are effective for treating hypertension without any side effects.They prevent further complications due to hypertension. Some of the important remedies are given below--

AURUM MET. 30- An excellent remedy for high blood pressure with low pulse pressure. The patient is disgusted with life , has great   depression and suicidal tendency but is  afraid of death.

BARYTA MUR. 3X—Baryta mur is an excellent remedy for Hypertension of the aged. There is increased tension of the pulse and  systolic pressure is high in comparison with diastolic pressure which is low.

NATRUM MUR 200-Natrum mur is one of the most indicated remedies in cases of high blood pressure which occur due to a prolonged intake of high levels of salty things. Due to this, there may be swelling of the feet in the mornings. Natrum mur may be given in cases where there is an unusual fatigue specially in the mornings. Though there is a restriction for excess salt intake, it is seen that there is an unusual craving for salty things like pickles, papads etc. There may be a sense of tightness around the chest region and palpitations on slightest exertion. Natrum mur may be given inn high blood pressure associated with hyperthyroidism and goiter. There is extreme sensitiveness to any external stimuli like sounds, smells or lights. Natrum mur may also relieve the headaches due to high blood pressure.

LACHESIS 200-  –Lachesis is the best Homoeopathic medicine for high blood pressure during menopause.  Lachesis may be given when there is marked restlessness physically as well as mentally. Another striking feature for prescribing lachesis is that, anything tight around the neck like closed collars, neck ties or tight necklaces are unbearable. Even tight clothes are unbearable. Feel better by loosening the belts or by wearing loose clothes. Lachesis may be given in high blood pressure in women who are in their menopausal age or post menopause.

GLONOINE 30 – Glonoine is best for hepertension with congestive headaches

 Glonoine is prescribed for  high blood pressure which are associated with extreme weakness and irritability. There may be sudden congestion in the head giving rise to headaches. Glonoine may give good results in cases of hypertension associated with extreme dizziness. There may be a confused state of mind and an unusual aversion to work. Glonoine is best for  headaches that are brought about on going out in sun. There may be extreme weakness along with breathlessness on trying to climb steps. The whole body may shiver and pulsations may be felt all over the body.

AMYL NITROSUM  30—Amyl nitrosum is best for hypertension  with breathlessness .In  Amyl nitrosum  high blood pressure is associated with a chocking and  constrictive feeling around the chest. There may be shortness of breath and heaviness in the chest region. There may be anxiety as if something bad may happen. Amyl nitrosum may be given when there is sudden hot sensation in the body and redness of the face. Pulsations may be felt all over the body, particularly in the ears. All symptoms may be associated with sudden and profuse sweating

RAUWOLFIA SERP. Q—Aspecific remedy for hypertension. It is used as a palliative for hypertension.

ALLIUM SATIVA – Q—Allium sativa is an excellent remedy for high blood pressure associated with high cholesterol.  Allium sativa may be given in cases where there is a history of high cholesterol levels. This homoeopathic medicine may suit fat and fleshy individuals who prefer non vegetarian  diet. Symptoms of high blood pressure may include dullness and heaviness in the head. At times there may be a severe headache in the temples. Often there may be complaints of a heat flashes in the body which come and go suddenly.

BELLADONNA 30- Belladonna is effective for high blood pressure with violent palpitation, prolonged echoing sound in head with labored breath. There is palpitation from least exertion and throbbing all through the body. Skin flushed and hot. Vertigo with falling on left side or backward. The patient has great anxiety or fear and is thirstless. Complaints are worse from touch , noise, jar, and lying down.

CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS Q- Cactus is best for hypertension with heart troubles. There is a feeling of constriction in the heart region and have angina pain.

CRATAEGUS OXY. Q—A heart tonic. It is considered a specific remedy for hypertension.  The patient feels dyspnoea on least exertion.

ADRENALINUM 2X-Adrenalinum is best for high blood pressure and it is used as a palliative.There is high arterial pressure and roaring in ears.

CALCAREA CARB. 30-Calcarea carb is best for hypertension in fat and flabby persons. There is excessive sweat on head , palms and soles. The patient have a special craving for eggs. They are chilly patients.

 CONIUM MACULATUM 200- Conium mac is effective for hypertension of bachelors and maids in old age.

PHYSOSTIGMA 30-Physostigma is best for hypertension with a feeling that a cap is gripping the head.

PITUITRINUM 30- Pituitrinum relieves the headache of patients suffering from high blood pressure .

PLUMBUM METALLICUM 30- Plumbummetallicum is effective for hypertension due to gout or kidney diseases or from thickening of arteries. There is great paleness of skin and red blood corpuscles are decreased .

STROPHANTHUS  Q—Strophanthus is effective for hypertension in aged with heart complaints dependent on kidney diseases. There is irritable heart with tense arteries and a free discharge of urine . Strophanthus increases the systole and diminishes the rapidity of heart.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS 10M- Thuja occ. is effective for hypertension with a personal or parental history of coronary thrombosis. Here the hypertension is associated with poor arterial wall

VERATRUM VIRIDE 30-Veratrum viride is prescribed for hypertension with oppression , sighing , rapid respiration and grasping for breath are found. It induces fall of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

VISCUM ALB 30- Viscum alb is prescribed when the systolic blood pressure is high and diastolic is low.

Mix  CRATAEGUS OXY. Q, PASSIFLORA INCARNATA Q, and RAUWOLFIA SEPENTINA Q in equal proportions and give 15 drops in water every 2 hours for immediate relief. This is only palliation .